Clothe Yourself With Good Things

Above all, clothe yourselves with love,
which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:14

"As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." Col 3:12 NRSV

We are not to be doormats. We are to stand firmly on the truth, which is the Word of God. Jesus, and in the end his disciples, did not back down from the truth. They stood firmly on God's Word and on His promises.

But, neither are we to be bullies asserting our rights over the rights of others. Paul encourages the Colossians to treat one another with compassion and kindness. We are to try to have empathy for others; to, as the saying goes: "walk a mile in the shoes of others." We are to listen to all sides with humility; humbling ourselves so that we do not put our needs over the needs of others, and with empathy so that we can act with compassion and kindness to those who are suffering.

May God reconcile us to Himself and to one another, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

God's Peace - Pr. J

Tossing Sea

Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord;
    and I will heal them.
But the wicked are like the tossing sea
    that cannot keep still;
    its waters toss up mire and mud.
There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.
 Psalm 57:19-21

Always trying to stir up mud and mire; to create dirt and filth, there is no room for peace in the lives of those who plot evil.

Yet, for those who pursue peace; those who assist their neighbor in the pursuit of peace, will live in peace. Those who seek to live reconciled to God and to one another will know the peace that only He can give no matter what storms the evil doers would create for them. They will know peace because God is with them.

God's peace be with you all. Pr. J

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Discern The Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 NIV
 "For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep." (vs 29-30)

It is necessary to discern the context in which we are reading this reminder to discern the Body of Christ. Paul is reminding the people that when they come together their are divisions among them. Some think of themselves more highly than others. They lift their own desires and needs before others.

When Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper he said, "This is my body. This is my blood." We believe this. We receive His Body when we receive the Sacrament. Also, it is good to keep in mind is that each member who receives this Sacrament is a member of His Body. When we receive His Body in the Sacrament without discerning that these others with us are members of His Body; that He resides in them and they in us, we are disrespecting Jesus (Big Time!). We are eating and drinking judgment upon ourselves.

Therefore; if you have something against your brother or sister in Christ make every opportunity to be reconciled before you come to the Table. For we are one in Christ. We, who receive His Body are the Body of Christ. Do not disrespect His Body. It is as simple and as mysterious as that.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Sorry, woke up late this morning and on my way out, already. Martin Luther had a lot to say on this and I wish I had more time to elaborate. This lesson requires much more time and effort. If members wish for me to elaborate, we could do a class or workshop on this. Let me know if any are interested...

Acts 25:1-12 Appealing to the Court

Acts 25:1-12 NIV
It is best when things can be resolved out of court. But, sometimes it is necessary to appeal to the state so that things can be straightened out; so that the innocent one might be protected; so that peace (at least some semblance of it) might be restored.

Paul's message intimidated the Jews. His message was one of grace for all people who would follow Jesus. The message of the Jews who despised Paul was one of strict adherence to the law. But, Paul was out of reach, he was in the hands of the state in Caesarea. The Jews really wanted to get Paul back in their own territory so they would be able to manipulate the local courts. But, Festus would have none of that. Paul would have none of that. Paul appealed to a higher court. He appealed to Caesar. The request was granted. His life was prolonged with this request. His ability to continue to proclaim the Good News to those around him continued.

According to Matthew 5:25, Jesus said:“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison." 

The Jews who persecuted Paul had no intention of settling matters with Paul outside of court. They wanted him gone for good. They wanted the message he carried gone. The chaos that comes with falsely accusing someone seems not to have bothered them much. Paul, with his message of forgiveness in Christ Jesus, really seemed to be a thorn in their side; a thorn which they wanted to remove by removing Paul from this world. There was no reconciling. They were right. Paul was wrong. So they spent their lives angrily chasing after Paul. What a way to live! Is it not been better to discuss things rather than attack those who disagree with you? It appears that the imprisonment the Jews suffered in the hardness of their hearts may have been worse than Paul's imprisonment by the state.

The continual persecution provided some obstacles for Paul's ministry; but, he was still able to continue to testify in spite or maybe even because of his imprisonment. Hardships may come; but, God's will, will still be done. Is it not better to resolve things before they go too far? Sitting down and talking or praying together might be a good start before one's life is wasted away; before one is imprisoned by their our misplaced anger and fear.

May the peace of God be with you all and may we be reconciled to one another in Christ Jesus.

God's Peace -  Pr. J
 

Zechariah 8 - Come With Me

"Thus says the Lord of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, the inhabitants of many cities; the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, 'Come, let us go to entreat the favor of the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going.'" (Zech 8:20-21 NIV)

"Come, with me. Let us seek the LORD together." When was the last time you heard words like this? When was the last time you offered this invitation to anyone?  The LORD offers peace to all people, but who will receive it? There are Christians who would look down on others who do not worship the LORD; thereby, breaking any possible bonds of peace between themselves and others. Rather than look down on those who do not know the LORD; how about an attempt or two or more to help them get to know the LORD? Invite them to worship so that they might hear the Word; that others might hear and believe and we might live in peace, reconciled to God and one another.

St Paul wrote to the Romans: "But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?  And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ." (Rom 10:14-17)

How are they to believe, if they do not hear? We can all be evangelists; inviting our neighbors to come with us to seek the LORD of hosts so that all people might know Him and be reconciled to Him and one other in His peace.

Invite your neighbor to worship, so that they too might know the promises and the joy that those promises bring.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Zechariah 6 - Four Winds of Heaven

Zechariah has yet another vision: four chariots being pulled by horses of various colors. The angel tells Zechariah that "these are the four winds of heaven going out, after presenting themselves before the LORD of all the earth." (Zech 6:5 NIV) The four winds (spirits) of heaven are anxious to go to the four corners of the earth: north, south, east and west as they patrol the earth.

God is in charge of even the wind - even the wind obeys and answers to Him. This portion of the vision is symbolic of God's presence, through His Spirit, throughout the world. He is not absent as some would think He is absent. He is not a God far off; but, is very near. His Spirit abides with us always. He sees and knows all that we say, and think and do.

He sends His Spirit to gather to Himself, to His Holy Temple, people from every corner of the earth. He sends His Spirit to reconcile, even you, to Himself.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 6 - Who Gives Peace: The LORD or Mary Jane?

What a strange chapter! Every so many verses it is written, "This is what the LORD says."

The LORD is once again warning the people that their sins are bringing trouble upon themselves. "For disaster looms out of the north, even terrible destruction." (Jer 6:1b NIV) "Prepare for battle!" (vs 4)

Once again, "This is what the LORD says."

"To whom can I speak and give warning?
    Who will listen to me?
Their ears are closed
    so they cannot hear.
The word of the Lord is offensive to them; 
   they find no pleasure in it." (Jer 6:10)

No one will listen. They would rather accept the message of "Peace, when there is no peace," (vs 14) so that they can keep doing as they are doing. They would rather hear things like, don't worry about it; it is good for you; it won't hurt you; God loves you no matter what you do. And.... indeed He does. But, He does not always love what His children do; especially, when they do not listen to Him for their own welfare, for their sake, and for the sake of all of His children.

It is as if we think if it feels good at the time, we should do it. I have been warning people about a danger, about something that does damage, for some time. But, it appears that no one (or very few) listens.

And... that is the danger of marijuana use. Why, it's so good for us, that in many areas of the country and world it has become a legal medication! What a lie that has been propagated throughout this world. If were really being used as a medication it should be farmed and distributed through real pharmacies. I have no doubt that it can be used to alleviate the suffering of those who have chronic pain. But, what I am seeing is that people are using the legal status as an excuse to abuse the drug and use it for their recreational purposes.

There are a few side effects that come with use of this drug that not everyone is aware of and if they are, they choose to ignore them. They choose to not hear.

• Feelings of detachment
• Motor coordination problems
• Hormone secretion dysfunction
• Increased heart rate
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Cancer
• Infertility
• Dependence
• Depression
• Impaired cognitive ability and memory
• Anxiety
• Panic
• Paranoia
• Altered perceptions
• Mania
• Psychosis
• Early onset of schizophrenia and schizophrenic like symptoms

 And... if you are an addict, don't forget all the wonderful side effects that occur when you don't have your substance (false god) of choice.

So, if you are thinking "what does this have to do with the reading this morning," it is this: in our reading Jeremiah warns the people that they will suffer because they have turned away from God to worship false gods. Marijuana is a false god. It lulls people into a false sense of peace, at least while they are using. Everything is good! But, it is not. Do not say, "Peace, peace when there is no peace." (vs 14)

Peace, real peace, everlasting peace comes from only one place. We receive peace when we accept Jesus as our peace.  "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Col 1:19) Living in relationship with God, our Father; God, the Son; and God the Holy Spirit is the only place that we can have peace. Drugs will not do what God can do.

Is your life a mess? Thinking the world is turning against you? That just might be one of the side-effects of marijuana use - paranoia. Turn to the LORD! Flee for safety to the One who can and will protect you. Get rid of your false gods! Get rid of your pot! Disaster is looming! Who will listen?

And... may the peace of the LORD be with you always - Pr. J

P.S. Formerly a Substance Abuse Director at a Youth Correctional Facility.
 

Jeremiah 3 - Will The LORD Divorce Us?

^"From our youth shameful gods have consumed
    the fruits of our ancestors’ labor—
their flocks and herds, 
   their sons and daughters." (Jer 3:24 NIV)

Now, if this isn't the truth! Our shameful gods consume the fruits of our labor. How much have you lost in pursuit of false gods? False gods take; while, our Maker, who is our husband (Isa 54:4), gives.

We have turned our backs on God and sought other gods. In this chapter we are compared to unfaithful wives and prostitutes. We have committed adultery and idolatry. As children of our heavenly Father, we have run away from home!

Yet, what do we hear from Him! What good news is this? The LORD will still take us back! He forgives us!

“‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the Lord,
    ‘I will frown on you no longer,
for I am faithful,’ declares the Lord,
    ‘I will not be angry forever. 
“'Return, faithless people;    I will cure you of backsliding.'” (Jer 3:12, 22)

Even while we are unfaithful, the LORD is faithful. The LORD forgives all who repent and believe in (and even desire) His promise of reconciliation with Himself in His Kingdom through Jesus Christ our LORD. Our Maker, our Husband, does not want a divorce from us. He doesn't want a divorce from we who have committed adultery and idolatry against Him. He wants us reconciled to Himself; therefore, He sent His only begotten Son, to be our Savior, to be our peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J